Kenya has one of the world’s youngest populations, coupled with biting levels of unemployment. Agriculture is the backbone of the country that has a rich agricultural heritage.
Farming plays an important role in Kenya’s economy and food security. The government has put in place strategies to attract youth to agriculture but a large percentage don’t see it as a viable livelihood.
The enormous economic potential of youth in agribusiness remains largely untapped. Some young Kenyans have thrown out the bad perception portrayed about farmers.
As more people become interested in organic and locally sourced foods, farmers like Walter are at the forefront of this movement. Walter Njuguna is a young vegetable farmer with over three months of experience in the agripreneurship scene.
He started his farming journey after noticing an increasing demand for fresh vegetables in local markets. This motivated him to create a business that not only fulfils this need but also promotes healthy eating in his community.
Walter’s approach to farming centres around organic methods. He believes in growing vegetables without harmful chemicals, which can be better for the environment and the health of his customers.
We are living in an era where many people are becoming more health-conscious and are cautiously observing the foods they consume. Walter’s agribusiness model through organic vegetables is an extremely appealing and lucrative business option.
While organic farming can be more expensive and labour-intensive, Walter feels it is worth the effort. Like any business, farming has its good and bad days. He says that hard work and investment are the only ways that lead to better results.
He is part of the select few agripreneurs who have overcome several challenges and are focused on maintaining sustainable farming practices.
He keeps a positive attitude and learns from every experience, whether it’s a successful harvest or a setback. He added that resilience is important in farming as conditions can take a quick turn.
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In addition to selling fresh vegetables, Walter offers farm visits to his customers. Through farm visits, he provides his clients a chance to see how he grows and manages his produce.
Such transparency builds trust, as customers appreciate knowing where their food comes from and how it is cultivated. It also gives them a chance to learn about organic farming practices and the importance of supporting local farmers.
Along the way, Walter Njuguna has learnt valuable lessons which he is eager to share with those willing to join him in his field. He states that knowing the particular business is the first step to success.
“If one gets in a certain field and wants to succeed, he/she should invest in learning about it. That’s to get in-depth knowledge,” he said.
One must also be able to understand and internalize the market, weather patterns, and farming techniques which can make a huge difference on the harvest.
In farming, growth requires constant improvement and adaptability, a measure that he has not taken too lightly. He aims to learn new skills and apply innovative farming methods to increase productivity.